It is common fruit tree found all over the India. Its origin lies in Tropical Africa. It is mainly used for culinary purpose. Its pulp powder and juice are exported to European countries. Sour taste of Tamarind is due to Tartaric acid. It is rich in Phosphorus, calcium and iron. Along with fruits, its tender leaves and flowers are also edible.

Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa are major tamarind growing countries of India.

It can grow on wide range of soil. Rocky or poor soils is also suitable for its cultivation. Sodic and Saline soils also suitable for sowing purpose. 

PKM 1: Early yielding variety, gives average yield of 265pods/tree.

Urigam: Local variety having good long pod with sweet pulp. 

Pratisthan: Variety released from Marathwada Agriculture University. Its pulp having sweet taste. 

Yogeshwari: High yielding regular bearer variety with red pulp. 

Number 263, Akola Smruti, Ajentha Sweet tamarind

Plough land and bring field to fine tilth. For plantation purpose, dug pits of 1mx1mx1m dimension in summer and expose to sun. Then fill pits with Single superphosphate@2kg along with well decomposed cowdung. 

Time of sowing

June to November month is optimum time for planting seedlings in a pit.

Spacing

Spacing varies with variety use, soil type and climate. 

For sowing, use spacing of 8mx8m or 10x10m.

Method of sowing

Root or stem cuttings or grafts are planted in main field. Select four month old seedlings for plantation purpose. 

For propagation purpose, root or stem cuttings are used. It can be also propagated through vegetative methods like, grafting, air layering and budding method.  

Seed Rate

In one acre near about 40tree accommodates.

Seed Treatment

Before sowing, soak seeds in 10% cow urine or in cow dung solution@500gm/10Litre of water) for 24 hours. 

Nutrient Requirement (gm/tree)

Nutritional requirement is not studied till now. In general, one year old tamarind crop required Nitrogen@100gm, Phosphorus@50gm and Potash@100gm per tree. Keep increasing this dose every year.   

Tamarind is cultivated as rainfed crop. Also it can survive well in drought prone areas. Research shows that it responds well to irrigation. For initial two to three year sufficient irrigation is needed for well establishment of crop. Provide irrigation in case of no or irregular rainfall. In summer season apply water with interval of seven to eight days.  

Mulching is also effective way of weed control. Also plough land thoroughly to make field weed free.

During initial four to five years, inter crops like drumsticks, cowpea, horse gram is cultivated. Such crop helps to keep check on weeds.

Seed propagated plants start to give yield seven to eight years after planting. Where as graft propagated plant start to give after four to five years. Harvesting of fruits is carried out from January to April month. In general 300-500kg of ripe pods obtained from single tree.  

After harvesting fruits are spread on ground for six to seven days. For pulp purpose, remove seed, hard coat and fibrous material. Then it is dried in sun. Such pulp can be stored for 6-12months.